I understand that the first few miles after the Denver trailhead are supposed to be closed for roughly the next year. Has any rebel/renegade/anarchist ignored the closure and tried hiked the route anyway? Is it possible to just ignore the closure and sneak through on a Sunday morning or something?
Loup
…and is an active construction site (more or less) Fines and additional penalties would be stiff!
There are some alternate routes available.
Waterton Canyon, the official Denver terminus of the Colorado Trail, will be closed all through 2011.
Details here: http://www.coloradotrail.org/waterton_closure.html
What to do? You could do the dog-friendly alternate (with somewhat hard logistics listed on the CTF site.
Or you could take this alternate not far from Waterton Canyon .
http://parks.state.co.us/SiteCollectionImages/parks/Parks/Roxborough/RoxboroughAreaMap.pdf
Roxborough State Park does not allow camping or dogs, but may be an easier choice logistically. Take trail #800 to hook on the Colorado Trail again. It hooks up again just after Waterton Canyon.
Trailguy (Who posts here) knows the immediate area well and could tell you some other alt routes to start the CT.
Paul Mags
I hiked it two weeks before the closure took effect, and it was being actively patrolled by the county sherriff. I was passed by no less than two patrol cars between the trailhead and the turnoff to the dam. You’re out in the open for the first 6 miles and have to pass the dam and a residence.
You would be taking a big risk with, as Mags pointed out, big fines. Getting caught would also effectively end your hike before it had hardly begun.
Don’t be a fool; take Trail 800. It meets the CT at Lenny’s Rest.
Wandering Bob
Mags, Bob,
Thanks for the info. Never having hiked the trail, I was having a great deal of difficulty imagining a construction project closing an entire corridor. But, if it’s locked down tight, it’s locked down tight. The alternate route looks to be a minor hassle, but not a deal breaker.
Loup
There are several starting point alternatives to access the CT during the closure. I want to issue a very straightforward and strong warning to anyone who attempts to access any part of the CT below Lenny’s Bench. Don’t do it! To be safe, don’t even go below Lenny’s. I have two very slick ways to get to Lenny’s from the Roxborough Park area, and would be glad to share them with anyone who is interested. The problem the Waterton Canyon closure has created for those of us who shuttle hikers to the CT is that the Sedalia alternative (Indian Creek trailhead) is 20+ miles from the traditional starting point. You can certainly start your hike up the Carpenter Peak trailhead within Roxborough State Park, and work your way on the powerline trail/Roxborough connecter over to Trail #800 and get to Lenny’s. Perfectly okay. The other options require starting in the Roxborough Park neighborhood, which is a gated community with security guards. I live in that area, and can get you access to these options.
Some people are just starting at Section 2 on the South Platte at Gudy’s bridge, and that’s cool as well.
Mags, thanks for the update on your guide - good stuff.
Just email if interested. Trailguy
TrailGuy
Every day I think about next summer’s CT hike, and I’m very glad that local hikers have offered advice. If it’s ok with you, I’ll hit you up for some detailed suggestions sometime in June so that I’ll be ready for a mid-July sobo start.
At this point, I’m focussed on buying a few miscellaneous pieces of gear that will be better suited to hiking the CT (I hike mostly in New England). On-line gear shopping is a wonderful way to develop the anticipation of a long summer walk!
Loup